on.

"I had little idea of being a farmer, until I was married. It was
necessary to engage in some pursuit, and I had not prepared myself for
any learned profession. I fondly dreamed that some way would be opened
for me by the magic of my genius; for I was passionately devoted to
music, in which I believed I might excel. Delicious dreams of a bright
career were followed by naked, everyday life--farmers' cares and
farmers' toil. I could not be reconciled to the reality. I murmured
because Sarah was so cold, practical, and calculating; I know I made her
unhappy. I was constitutionally irritable, and a habit of fretfulness
grew upon me. This was not designed to soften her rather harsh nature,
or benefit her temper. With children came an increase of cares and
discords, which sometimes almost maddened me. Oh, why was I formed so
weak, so infirm a mortal?" groaned Mr. Royden. "I have tried in vain to
govern my spleen. It rules me with a finger of fire."

"Do you know," said Father Brighthopes, feelingly, "I have a disposition
naturally very much like yours?"

"You!"

"Your mother was my father's sister; we inherited from the same stock
the same infirm temper. The Rensfords are constitutionally nervous. Our
sense of harmony and discord is too fine; we have bad spleens; and we
lack fortitude. Ill-health, of which we have both seen somewhat,
aggravates the fault."

"But what can cure it?" exclaimed Mr. Royden.

"I never saw my remedy until my eyes were opened to the sublime beauty
of Christ's character. The wisdom he taught filled me with the deepest
shame for my folly of fretting at the trivial perplexities of life. I
cried out, in agony, 'Oh, God give me strength!' Strength came. It will
come to those who ask for it with earnest, unselfish hearts."

Observing that Mr. Royden was thoughtful, and plunged in doubt, the old
man changed the conversation. He spoke of Mrs. Royden. He expressed his
sympathy for her, and indirectly showed his companion how tender he
should be of her, how charitable towards her temper, how careful not to
make her feel the hedge of thorns which their ill-matched dispositions
had placed between them. He went so far as to teach how, by mutual
forbearance, forgetfulness of the past and hope for the future, pleasant
discourse and serene contentment with the ways of Providence, these
briers might be made to blossom thick with roses.

"Talk with her--talk with her!" said Mr. Royden, with gushing emoti